1
as in darkened
being without light or without much light
I didn't like walking around the murky campground without a flashlight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dark
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
the murky shadows of the cemetery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hazy
filled with or dimmed by fine particles (as of dust or water) in suspension
skies made murky from the smoke of forest fires that were many miles to the west
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
a murky reply to a question about his intentions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly
a gubernatorial candidate with a murky position on the hot-button issue of capital punishment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of murky
Ideologically, though, the connection was murkier.
—
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Democratic strategist Roger Salazar said things haven't been this murky since 1998.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 4 May 2026
The spooky environs created by production designer Til Frohlich are the stuff nightmares are made of; the murky bathtub, moldering linens and secret compartments that go bump in the night.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
Even my sense of danger was sometimes murky, like right there on the street in the city.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for murky
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Democratic strategist Roger Salazar said things haven't been this murky since 1998.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 4 May 2026
The spooky environs created by production designer Til Frohlich are the stuff nightmares are made of; the murky bathtub, moldering linens and secret compartments that go bump in the night.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
Even my sense of danger was sometimes murky, like right there on the street in the city.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for murky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for murky
Adjective
-
In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
As scientists often find darkened teeth in ancient burials, other factors can contribute to a black appearance, notably the chewing of betel leaves.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
All the bedrooms can be found upstairs, including one that’s currently being used as an office and a primary suite flaunting dual dressing rooms and baths, plus a sauna clad in dark gray stone.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The book’s cover depicts a hazy sunset over a Hollywood sign that is drowning in floodwaters.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
4 May 2026
-
The immediate aftermath of a split tends to be less clear, a hazy maelstrom that can involve medicinal tubs of ice cream, insomnia by way of intrusive thoughts, and an aversion to wearing anything other than sweats.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Several files included military videos from the last several years that showed small ambiguous dots moving above the landscapes of Iraq, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.—
Seung Min Kim,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Many trials occupy an ambiguous middle ground, generating useful data while simultaneously serving promotional objectives.—
Sukhun Kang,
The Conversation,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Perhaps clever legal strategies might find ways to meet the justices’ new standards, or perhaps experts might come up with new metrics to mathematically prove discrimination, even when intent is vague.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
There’s a false perception in pop music that the best way to connect with the masses is to keep things broad — that vague generalizations are easier for people to latch onto.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Speaking at an event held at the Aloft Hotel in Doral, a hub for Venezuelan diaspora activism, Guanipa painted a bleak picture of conditions inside Venezuela and sharply criticized the country’s current leadership, accusing those in power of clinging to control despite widespread rejection.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
-
Without giving too much away about the endings of Caveat and Oddity, McCarthy (like Ohm) leans toward the bleak and open-ended.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Ciudad Perdida, Colombia Hidden deep within the misty peaks of Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the ancient city of Teyuna—better known as Ciudad Perdida—is one of South America’s most extraordinary archaeological sites.—
Carla Vianna,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
-
There’s something so edgy and industrial about this set, which pairs silver chrome accent nails with black cutout tips, stripes, and misty gray polish.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Eurich later posted a cryptic video to @dumbrblnd on April 21 that followers seemed to think was in reference to Murray.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In the weeks before Andrew Lloyd Webber announced the New York staging of his The Phantom of the Opera reboot Masquerade last year, cryptic messages and clues began popping up, not least being the appearance of the masked singer outside the Tony Awards ceremony.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Murky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/murky. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
